Engine starting apparatus



April 25, 1933; R. P. LANSING ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. so. 1932 v INVENTOR i Ra mond [.a/Is/ Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAYMOND P. IIANSING, OE MONTCLAIR, N-'EW' JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO BENDIX AVIA- TION CORPORATION, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIIANA1 A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Application led January 30, 1932. Serial No. 589,961.

This invention relates to engine starting apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for starting airplane engines, although not necessarily confined to such use.

An object of the invention is to provide novel mounting means for an engine starting mechanism constructed and disposed in such manner as to render the starter readily attachable to a variety of engines in 4which the size and relative location of the cooperating supports may vary over a wide range.

There has been in extensive use in the art for some time an engine starting apparatus of the type in which a high speed power member such as an electric motor or inertia element is adapted to transmit, through suitable torque multiplying connections, a relatively high torque at a much lower speed, to a member connected with the engine crankshaft (or to the crankshaft itself) the engagement or meshing of the cranking member of the starter with the engine member being effected manually in some instances, and in others automatically in response to the initial torque reaction transmitted through such torque multiplying means.

It is an object of the present invention to adapt a starter of this type to the novel mounting means above referred to, although it will be apparent hereinafter that the invention may also be applied to starters lacking such high speed ower means, such as hand turned starters, or example.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel starter mounting means of comparatively simple, but durable construction, susceptible of ready installation on any of a variety of types of engines now in commercial use.

These and other objects and advantages to be derived from the use of the invention herein disclosed involve the inter-relation and relative functions of the parts and will become apparent upon an inspection of the following specication and the accompanying drawing, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed. It is to be understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration only and is not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for such purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a View in sectional elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention and illustrating the use of an electric motor as the actuating means for the starter; and

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Referring to the drawing, the invention is shown embodied in a` unitary structure including inter-locking housingl sections 5, 6 and 7, the section 5 being in the form-of a substantially cylindrical tube or bridging sleeve adapted to be fastened to a part of an internal combustion engine by the provision of thickened portions 9 flaring outwardly and drilled for reception of elongated fastening bolts 10 having threaded ends 11 engageable with corresponding threaded openings in the wall of a mounting flange or equivalent portion, as shown, of the engine crankcase 8.`

The casing section 6 includes a 'c lindrical portion 12, the outer diameter of w iich preferably corresponds to the inner diameter of that portion of the bridging sleeve 5 into which it is received and to which it is rigidly held by suitable fastening means which, in the embodiment shown, consists of a screw 14 cngageable with threaded bushing 15 ein-l bedded in a boss 16 formed onthe sleeve', the inner end of the screw being reduced as indicated at 17 and tapered as indicated at 18 for wedging engagement with a second bushing 20 embedded in the .vall of the cylindrical portion 12'of the section 6.

One end of the housing section 6 flares outwardly to form a flange adapted to register with'the lower portion of the section 7, the said lower portion constituting a supporting means for reduction gearing, adapted to drivably connect the prime mover of the starter with the engine engaging portion thereof. As above suggested, the embodiment herein illustrated includes as the prime mover, an electric motor 23 whose armature shaft 24 is rotatably supported by suitable bearing 25 received in a boss 26 formed at the junction of the upper and lower portions of the housing section 7. As shown, the lower end of the armature shaft is bored to receive a threaded rod or bolt 28 adapted to hold a pinion 30 in driving relation with a crown gear 31 having a hub 32 rotatably received on a sleeve bearing 33 surrounding a stub shaft 34.

One end of the shaft 34 is journalled in a second sleeve bearing 36 held in place in a hub 37 extending inwardly from the lower portion of housing section 7, the inner end of this stub shaft being appropriately milled, as indicated at 40, to provide supporting and driving relation with a disc or plate 42 having a plurality of (preferably three) threaded openings spaced at equal intervals and e ual radial distances from the center thereo Each of these openings is adapted to receive correspondingly threaded screws 44 upon each of which is mounted a planetary pinion 45 which is adapted to mesh with the teeth formed on the hub 32 and also with the teeth of a stationary annular gear 47, secured by suitable means as bolts 48 to the housing sections 6 and 7. An annular ring 50 is preferably provided for holding the screws 44 'in proper relation, and each screw preferably receives a vsleeve 51 which may or may not be integral with the retaining ring 50, the said sleeves 51 facilitating free rotation of the planetary pinions 45 about the screws 44. The rotation of the gear 31 and sun gear 32 is thus imparted to the plate 42 at a reduced speed through the planetary coaction of the pinion 45 with the stationary annular gear 47.

The novel means which the present invention provides for applying the automatic meshing feature heretofore used in the art to the novel mounting means of the type above described, preferably includes the provision of an elongated engine engaging member 54 adapted to be supported near either end by suitable bearing means preferably including a sleeve 55 fitting in a clrcular opening provided in the forward wall of the sleeve 5.. Preferably the meshing means further in-V cludes a plurality of arcuate blocks 56 held in frictional engagement with the outer surface of the member 54 by the provision of a toroidal spring 58. The blocks 56 are preferably inserted in openings provided in the hub portion 60 of a plate 61 secured to the outer end of the cylindrical portion 12 of the housing section 6 by suitable means 62. The' member 54 is thus caused, by the retarding action of the friction blocks 56, to move forward into meshing engagement with the engine member 64 in response to the initial torque reaction exerted upon the cooperating helical members associated with the torque limiting clutch mechanism now to be described.

The means preferably employed for drivably connecting) the plate 42 with the engine engaging mem er 54 and for causing, first,

a forward movement of the latter member and then a rotary motion thereof, includes the usual frictionclutch of the multiple disc type comprising a plurality of annular discs 8l which are alternately splined to the inner surface of a barrel 82 and to the outer surface of an interiorly threaded nut 83, the barrel 82 being rigid with the plate 42 by virtue of the provision of fastening pins or rivets 84 engaging the turned end of barrel 82. Suitable adjustable yielding means are provided for holding nut 83 in operative position with respect to discs 81 and barrel 82, and for varying the frictional engagement of said discs. In the form shown, the yielding means comprise a plurality of coil springs 85 extending longitudinally within the barrel with their outer ends having operative engagement with a plate 89 and their inner ends exerting a thrust against an annular ring 86 mounted within the barrel and provided with a plurality of laterally projecting studs 87 which extend into the coils of springs, thereby maintaining them in proper spaced relation within the barrel. A pressure adjusting member 88 is threaded to the outer surface of the nut 83, and has abutting engagement with the face of ring 86. By varying the position of member 88 on the nut 83, the compression of springs 85 may be changed to vary the pressure with which the clutch discs are engaged. Positioned within nut 83 is an exteriorly threaded screw-shaft 96 adapted for rotary and longitudinal movement relative to said nut. The outer end of said shaft is provided with suitable means such as a nut 97 adapted to engage a shoulder formed interiorly of nut 83 to limit longitudinal movement of the shaft to the left, as viewed in the drawing. The inner end of shaft 96 is longitudinally splined and extends into the correspondingly splined hub portion 98 of engine-engaging member 54, whereby these parts have positive driving engagement, but are also adapted for relative longitudinal movement. A coil spring 99, which preferably has its outer end extending into Va recess formed in the inner end of shaft 96, is interposed between said shaft and the outer face of engine-engaging member 54, and yieldingly resists movement of said member toward the shaft, While at the same time imparting a forward thrust on the engine-engaging member 54 to move the latter into mesh with the engine member 64 in response to the screw action of the members 83 and 96, such forward thrust being exertedv upon the shoulder 100 of the member 54 through the intermediate washers 102 and 103. In order to couple the members-96 and 54 for unitary axial movement in one direction, a rod 105 is passed through these members and held thereto by the insertion of a locking nut106.

Having thus described the parts entering LeemansA into the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated, it Will be evident that the operation thereof is as follows:

Upon energization of the motor 23,- pinion 30 will be rotated, thereby rotating the vgear .31, the planetary gearing 45, plate 42 and barrel 82, from which barrel the torque lis transmitted through the friction clutch 81 to the nut 83. By reason of the rotation of this nut and the inertia of the screw shaft 96, to which is added the friction of the 'blocks 56, the said screw shaft is automatically advanced tothe left, as viewed in Fig. 1, producing a corresponding advance of the member 54 into engagement- With the member 64, such advance being produced by the action of the spring 99, which may yield, if necessary, to insure a perfect registry of the teeth on the two members 54y and 64. When such full registry is effected, the torque will be transmitted through the mechanism `described to the engine member 64 whichis thereby rotated to crank the engine.

l'Vhen the engine operates under its own power, the driving member 54 will be automatically disengaged by the overrunning action of the inclined surfaces of the cooperating teeth on. the members 54 and 64,.and at the same time the screw shaft 96 Will be returned to the position indicated in Fig. 1 by reason of the reverse screwlaction between it and the nut 83. Infact, thislatter action is suiiicient in itself to insure not onlya return of the screw shaft 96, but also of the member 54, irrespective of the. shape and action ofthe engine engaging teeth thereon. I It Will be thus seen thatthere is herein disclosed apparatus in which the several features of the invention are'embodied, and which apparatus in its action attains the various objects of the invention, including ladaptability to the x-arying requirements of practical use, as hereinbefore outlined, and although Vthere has beenV illustrated only the preferred embodiment of the invention, itis to be understood that'the novel principles may be otherwise embodied. Thusfor example, although the starting apparatus has been shown as operating upon teeth formed on the end of a rotatable engine member 64, the engagement may involve some other part of the engine, and that other forms of meshing may be employed, although, of course, certainyof the more specificaspects 'of the invention `involve the novel method herein disclosed of applying a known type of mesh- .the special conditions Vherein operation of the parts within the varying` scope of the respective claims hereto ap-` pended.

What is claimed is:

l. In an engine starter of the .type having Yafdriven `member-.adapted to engagegand .crank an element drivably connected to the .power producing parts of the engine, the

combination with said driven` member and element of. a bridging member khaving means -at `one end thereof. for supporting said driven member formovement therewithin, means-near the other endof said bridging member for supporting the other elements of thestarter, said last named. means comprisinga portion of the starter housing adapted to register Withand extend along theinner surface of said ybridging member to be .sup-

ported thereby, and bearing means enclosed within said starterk housing. for supporting he non-engaging end of said drivenvmemer. 2. In an engine starter of the type lhaving a driven member. adaptedy to engage and crank an element drivably connected to the power producing parts ofthe'engine, the

lcombination with said driven .member and elementof a bridging'member having means driven member for movement therewithin, means near the other end of said bridging member for` supporting the other elements of the starter, said `last namedyme'ans comvat oneend thereof for vsupporting said prising a.v portion of vthe starter housingk adapted to vregister lwith and. extend along crank an element drivably connected to the ipower producing Aparts of the engine, the

combination with saidy driven member and `element of a bridging member having means at one end' thereof for supporting said driven member for' movementv therewithin, and means for supporting the other velements of the starter, said'last named means including a housing mounted within and supported by said bridging member.

4. Inanengine starter of the type having a gear housing and a drivenmember adaptedl to engage andcrank an element'drivablyconnectedto the power producing parts yof the engine, the combination with said ydriven member andy gear housing of a bridging member having means at one end thereof for supportingl said housing, means extending through the'other end thereof for attaching said bridging member to the engine, `and `means associated withsaid housing for frictionally engaging said driven member.`

5. .Inan engine starter of thetyp'e having a driven member adapted to engage and `crank an element drivably connected to the power. yproducing parts. of the engine, the

combination with said driven member and elementof a brid ing member having means at one end thereo for supportin `sai driven member for both rotary and ongitudinal movement therewithin, a housing engaging the other end of said bridging member for supporting the other elements of the starter, and means associatedf'with .said housing for yieldably restraining ,rotary movement of said driven memberl during its longitudinal movement. i

6; In an engine starter of the type having a driven member adapted to en age and crank an element drivably connecte to the power producing parts of the en ine, the combination with said driven mem r and element of a bridgin member having means at one end thereo r supporting ,said driven mem` ber for movement therewithin, a housing engaging said bridgin member for supporting the other elements o the starter, a portion of said housing being supported by said bridging member, and means associated with sald housing for -yieldably restraining rotary movement of said driven member, said last namedmeans comprising an apertured plate secured to said housing and a friction element mounted in said apertured plate to frictionally engage said drlvenmember.

7. In an engine starter of the type having a driven member adapted to engage and crank an element drivably connecte to the power producing parts of-the engine, the combination with said driven member and element of a substantially cylindrical tube havin means at one end thereof for supporting s ai driven member for bot-h rotary and longitudinal movement therewithin, and a housing for supporting the other elements of the starter, a portion of said housing being mounted within and .supported by said tube.

8. In an engine starter of the type havin a driven member adapted to engage and cran an element drivably connected to the power producing parts of the engine, the combina-A tion with said driven member and element of a substantially cylindrical tube supporting said driven member for both rotary and longitudinal movement therewithin, and means for supporting the other elements of the starier, said last named means including a cylindrical portion adapted to register with and extend along one cylindrical surface of .said supporting tube.

9. In an engine starter of the type having a driven member adapted to engage and cran an element drivably'connecfed tothe power producing parts of the en `ne, the combination with said driven mem er and element of a bridging member having means at one end thereof for supporting said driven member for both rotary and axial movement therewithin, means for supporting the other elements of the starter, said last named `means being mounted within and supported by said r 1,eos,94a

bridging memberand means within said bridging member for producing first an axial and then a rotary movement of said ydriven membenf f Y 10. In an engine starter of the type having a driven member ada 'ted to engage an crank an element driva ly connected to the power producin parts of the engine, the combination -wit said driven member and element of a bridging member supporting said driven member for both rotary and axial movement therewithin, a housing for supporting the other elements of the starter, a portion of said housing being mounted within and supported by; said bridging member, and means within said starter housing for producing first an axial and then arotary movement of said driven member, said last `named means including a pair of cooperating helical members, and means for operatively connecting onel of said helical members lto sald driven member.

11. In an engine starter ofthe type having a driven member ada ted to engage an v crank an element driva ly connected to the powerv producing parts of the engine, the combination with said driven member and element'of' a bridging member supporting said driven member for both rotary and axial `movement therewithin, a housing for supporting the other elements of the starter, a portion of said housing being mounted within and supported by said bridging member, means within said starter for producing first an axial movement and then a rotary movement of said driven member, said last named means including a driving nut and a. screw cooperating therewith, and means for drivably-connecting saidfscrew and driven memn bridging member for producing first an axial and then a rotary movement of said driven member, said last named means including cooperating helical members, means for operatively connecting one of said helical members to said driven member, means'extending through one of said helical members for insuring a disengagement of said driven member from said engine member after the engine starts on its own ower, and means extending through said ridgingmember for securing the starter thereto. l Y

13. In an engine starter of the type having a driven member adapted to engage and `crank an element drivably connected to the power producing parts of the engine, the comblnatlon with said driven member and eiement of a bridging member supportin said driven member for both rotary and axia movement therewithin, means within said bridging member for producing first an ax1a1 5 movement and then a rotary movement of said driven member, said last named means including a driving nut and a screw cooperating therewith, means for drivably connecting said screw and driven member, means 1 extending through said screw and driven member for limiting the extent of relative axial movement between these two elements, and means for sup orting thestarter within said bridging mem er.

15, 14.. In an engine starter of the type havin a driven member adapted to engage and crank an element drivablyconnected to the power producing parts of the engine, the combinationv with said driven member and 2 element of a bridging member supportin said driven member for both rotary and axia movement therewithin, a housing for supporting the other elements of the starter, a portion of said housing being mounted within and supported by said bridging member, means within said starter for producing first an axial and then a rotary movement of said driven member, said last named means including a driving nut and a screw cooperating therewith, means for drivably connecting said screw and driven member, and means interposed between said screw and driven mem er for yieldably transmitting axial thrust therebetween.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

RAYMOND P. LANSING. 

